Travis Letter Facebook Photo Contest

Win a Trip to the Alamo to see the Travis Letter

When the brash, 26-year-old commander of the Alamo wrote his plea for help on February 24, 1836, he was clear about his chances for surviving the siege by Mexican troops under Santa Anna. But Col. William Barret Travis knew the power of his words. He chose them carefully and crafted a message that transformed the Texas Revolution into an American fight against tyranny.

Now, for the first time in 177 years, the Travis Letter is heading back to the Alamo.

And so will a lucky winner, thanks to the “See The Letter” Facebook Photo Contest sponsored by the Texas General Land Office Save Texas History program. One lucky winner will receive travel and accommodations to San Antonio, donated by Southwest Airlines and the Emily Morgan by Doubletree Hilton.

“Courage. Duty. Loyalty. Liberty. All of these words describe the heart of Travis’ message in 1836,” said Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson. “I want to see how these values are portrayed today, and what this letter means to Texans across the country.”

Entrants will submit original photography that captures the essence of the Travis Letter by illustrating the meaning of courage, duty, loyalty and valor. Photographs must be in digital format and include a caption. This is a skill based contest and chance plays no part in the determination of winners.

One grand prize winner will be selected to win four round trip tickets from any Southwest Airlines domestic destination and hotel accommodations for four people for two nights at the historic Emily Morgan Hotel in San Antonio.

To enter, visit The Travis Letter Facebook Page, complete an entry form to include your name, address, telephone number, email address and photo caption and submit with your photograph in accordance with the entry instructions that follow. Each entry consists of an entry form and a single image. Contestants may enter only one image. By submitting an entry, each entrant agrees to the Official Rules and warrants that his or her entry complies with all requirements set out in the Official Rules, available at www.travisletter.org.

The Travis Letter Returns Exhibit is being coordinated by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, the Texas General Land Office and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas. The letter will be the highlight of a comprehensive exhibit on Travis and the Texas Revolution from February 23 to March 7 in the Alamo Shrine.

To learn more about Travis’ “Victory or Death” letter and to read the full text, visit www.travisletter.org.